Tethered high altitude platform



Oct. 2l), 1970 D. s. TANNER TETHERED HIGH ALTITUDE PLATFORM 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. 13, 1968 Oct. 20, 1970 D. s. TANNER TETHERED HIGH ALTITUDE PLATFORM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 13, 1968 OOO C/FT 99.5% AIR .57 HELIUM M Alm Cn (MAI M401 Wl/ .lnlv/ l F 2 ./m/MW O mmf/VIV lllllll l- C a m n .F Y A O T .A U v E o E O c. c/ D`. l/5 H 6 Awcgn n 2 9 United States Patent O 3,534,928 TETHERED HIGH ALTITUDE PLATFORM David S. Tanner, Fountain Valley, Calif., assignor to Chromalloy, American Corporation, New York, N.Y. Filed Aug. 13, 1968, Ser. No. 752,321 Int. Cl. B64b 1/50 U.S. Cl. 244--33 1 Claim ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A tethered high altitude platform comprising a nonrigid inflatable balloon including an outer skin element and a collapsible septum positioned in the rearward part of the balloon. The collapsible septum element being inflatable with a mixture of air and helium, the remaining space within the skin element being inflated with helium or other lighter-than-air gas, and confined to the forward or nose portion of the balloon. That portion of the interior space which is disposed within the collapsible septum element is vented at the tail of the balloon by pressure exhaust valves, whereby the balloon may be fully inated at ground level, to ascend with its principal longitudinal axis substantially vertically disposed, the expansion of the helium in the nose portion causing the collapse of the septum element to exhaust the air therefrom, while maintaining a fully inflated shape.

This invention relates generally to the field of captive non-rigid balloons, and more particularly to a tetheredhigh altitude platform adapted to be used for atmospheric research and similar uses.

It is among the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved balloon of the class described, which incorporates provision for a faster and more stable ascent with a high margin of reliability.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved non-rigid balloon which may be completely inflated on the ground, prior to launching, in such manner as to assure its ascent with the principal longitudinal axis thereof in substantially vertically disposed orientation.

Yet another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved non-rigid balloon which may include a collapsible septum separating the interior of the balloon into a nose portion which may be filled with a lighterthan-air gas, and a tail portion which may be filled with a heavier gas, the second portion having means of venting the same to the outside atmosphere, whereby upon ascent the expansion of the lighter-than-air gas owing to lessening of atmospheric pressure may collapse the septum enclosing the heavier gas to exhaust the same through the venting means, whereby the total volume of the balloon maintains substantially constant.

Yet another object of the invention lies in the provision of improved structure of the class described, in which the cost of fabrication may be of a reasonably low order, directly comparable with existing prior art devices, thereby permitting consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

A feature of the disclosed embodiment lies in the fact that the balloon may take the shape and configuration of existing prior art devices.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear in the progress of the following disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several lviews.

3,534,928 Patented Oct. 20, 1970 ICC` FIG. 1 is a view in elevation of a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the first embodiment at the time of launching.

FIG. 3 is a similar schematic sectional view, showing the position of certain of the component parts during a first stage of ascent.

FIG. 4 is a similar view showing the relative position of the component parts after a further stage of ascent.

FIG. 5 is a view in elevation showing the first embodiment in fully ascended and tethered position.

FIG. 6 is a view in elevation, corresponding to that scene in FIG. 2, but showing a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a view in perspective showing a first stage in the inflation of the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a view in perspective showing a second stage in the inflation thereof.

FIG. 9 is a view in perspective showing the launch position of the second embodiment.

In accordance with the first embodiment of the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10, comprises broadly: an outer skin element 11 and an inner septum element 12.

The outer skin element 11 is bounded by an outer surface 14 and an inner surface 15 forming a generally cylindrical cavity 16. Tail fin elements 17 extend from the rearward portion of the skin element 11, while a nose portion 18 is provided with filling means 19 of well known type. Disposed in rearward edges of the tail fin elements 17 are pressure escape valves 20 which provide the joint function of permitting the filling of the rearward part of the embodiment, and the exhausting of gas outwardly thereof as the balloon ascends, as will more fully appear hereinafter.

The inner septum element 12 preferably includes first and second septum members 24 and 25, respectively, each including first and second surfaces 26 and 27, respectively and defining first and second collapsible enclosures 28 and 29. The remaining portion of the interior of the balloon, generally indicating by reference character 30, is thus confined to the nose or forward portion of the balloon adjacent the filling means 19.

Each of the first and second septum members 24 and 25 includes a generally transverse wall 31 and a longitudinal wall 32, the latter defining a passage 33 therebetween communicating with the chamber cavity 16.

The device is inflated at ground level, by first introducing a mixture of air with a small amount of helium into the chambers 28 and 29 to fully expand the septums 24 and 25. Simultaneously, or subsequently, the filling means 19 is employed to inflate the chamber 30 with helium or other lighter-than-air gas at a pressure sufficient to provide adequate volume of gas for expansion to completely ll the balloon when it has reached its ultimate captive altitude.

As a typical example, using a balloon approximately 220 feet in length and 55 feet in diameter, the total infiation capacity will be approximately 500,000 cubic feet.

The initial volume of helium in the nose section 30 at atmospheric pressure of 15 pounds per square inch may be 30,000 cubic feet, and the volume enclosed by the septums a total of 215,000 cubic feet each. To maintain balloon weight at a minimum, the latter volumes are preferably a mixture of 99% air and 1% helium.

During ascent, the chambers enclosed by the septum members 25 and 26 are gradually decreased as the helium in the nose portion 30 expands and pressure builds up thereagainst. As the pressure reaches that at which the valves 20 vent, air flows therethrough, at a rate depending upon the rate of ascent of the balloon, the septums progressively collapsing as indicated in FIGS. 3 and 4 until the pure helium ultimately fills the entire interior of the balloon. With the proportions indicated above, complete exhaustion of the air occurs at approximately 75,000 feet altitude, at which point the tethering means 36 brings the balloon to proper aerodynamic altitude.

Turning now to the second embodiment of the invention, as indicated in FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9, the device, generally indicated by reference character 40 is of dart-shaped configuration, Well known in the art, including a nose portion 41, side fin portions 42, and a lower fin 43. The septum element 44 includes first and second septum members 45 and 46 disposed within the fins 43, and are shaped to include a forward wall 48, a longitudinally extending wall 49, a rearward wall 50 and an end wall 51 communicating with pressure exhaust valves 52.

As seen in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the second embodiment is preferably progressively inflated by first staking the rear edges of the fins 43 to the ground, and inating the nose portion 41, tethering the tip thereof into the wind. After the nose portion has become inflated and floated, the septum element is subsequently inflated, releasing the staked tins, so that the launch position corresponds to that seen in FIG. 9. Keeping the nose portion down deletes air lift, until such time as launching is effected. During ascent, the device operates as in the first embodiment, in which the helium ultimately displaces substantially all of the air disposed within the chambers formed by the septum members.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

I claim:

1. A tethered balloon comprising: an outer skin element defining the outside configuration of said balloon and an interior cavity, a septum element forming at least one collapsible enclosure within said cavity, means for filling said interior cavity with a first lighter-than-air gas, means for filling said enclosure with a second gas of density heavier than that of said first-mentioned gas, and pressure escape valve means communicating between said enclosure and the exterior of said outer skin element; expansion of said l'irst gas in said interior cavity during a period of ascent of said balloon serving to compress said second gas in said enclosure, and to exhaust the same through said pressure escape valve to maintain said outer skin element in fully expanded condition during said period of ascent; said outer skin element, when fully inflated, being of dart-shaped configuration, including a pair of rearwardly extending n members, said septum element including a pair of collapsible membranes, and communicating respectively with said fins, each of said fins including a pressure exhaust valve at a rearwardly positioned edge thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,686,646 10/1928 Upson 244-33 2,492,800 12/ 1949 Isom 244-31 3,107,884 10/1963 Simko 244-31 3,110,457 ll/1963 Struble 244-31 MILTON BUCHLER, Primary Examiner S. W. WEINRIEB, Assistant Examiner 

